Qualitative fieldwork explores how self-initiated play promotes health in children, suggesting improvements for kindergarten environments.
Key Points
The study aims to explore how children's self-initiated play serves as a health-promoting practice and the impact of institutional environments on this play.
Qualitative fieldwork in two Danish kindergartens over 37 days
Conducted 20 walking interviews and 15 photo-elicited interviews with children aged 3–6
Utilized perspectives from the sociology of childhood, phenomenology, and culture-oriented theories.
Children's play involves spontaneous movement, exploration, and peer learning but is often limited by institutional routines.
Adult-led activities disrupt opportunities for self-directed play and movement.
Improving physical environments and allowing more free play can enhance children's overall well-being.